Bengal mulls recruitment of transgenders as civic volunteers

West Bengal’s transgender welfare board is mulling their recruitment as civic volunteers to aid the Kolkata Police in a variety of tasks, including helping the elderly cross roads during the busy Durga Puja days.

The transgender welfare board is mulling their recruitment as civic volunteers to aid the Kolkata Police.(AFP file photo)

West Bengal’s transgender welfare board is mulling their recruitment as civic volunteers to aid the Kolkata Police in a variety of tasks, including helping the elderly cross roads during the busy Durga Puja days.

“At our last meeting, we discussed whether transgenders could be inducted into the Civic Police Volunteer Force. During festivities such as the Durga puja, they could help the elderly navigate traffic intersections,” board member Ranjita Sinha said on Saturday.

Sinha said the board also discussed the possibility of including a third gender member in juries that honour the best Durga pujas in the city.

“These steps would boost mainstreaming efforts. With some training they can become efficient as civic volunteers,” she said.